Anti-personnel ordnance device



April l, 1969 J, FRlEDMAN ET AL 3,435,762

ANTI-PERSONNEL ORDNANCE DEVICE Filed March 6, 1967 Sheet of 2 A vr. Awnwhvo ,30 6 33 INVENToRs JOSEPH fmeDMAN RICHARD WACHTELL BY ATTORNEYS April 1, 1969 |=R|EDMAN ET AL 3,435,762-

ANTI PERSONNEL ORDNANCE DEVICE Filed March 6, 1967 Sheet ,8 of 2 INVENTORS JOSEPH FR IEDMAN RICHARD WACHTELL BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent Qfflce Patented Apr. 1, 1969 U.S. Cl. 102-22 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE For harassment or destruction of ground troops and installations from the air, a long length of explosive high energy detonating cord or other flexible explosive device is encased in a heavy metal casing arranged, in one manner or another, to be flexible for rolling or folding the entire device, which is then unreeled from an aircraft or otherwise and laid over a substantial length of ground and detonated (upon contact or otherwise) to provide an almost instantaneous explosion over a very substantial distance, with prduction of considerable shrapnel from the metal casing and from trees, stones, etc., in the area of the explosion all along the cord. Paravanes may be added to support the device during unreeling and lo slow its descent to the ground, and additional grenadelike explosives may be attached at intervals along the device.

This invention relates to ordnance apparatus designed for 'harassment or destruction of ground troops and installations by providing an almost instantaneous and shrapnel-producing explosion all along a line of very considerable length and, more particularly, to such apparatus in the form of a detonating and explosive cord or other exible arrangement which can be laid from tactical aircraft over virtually any type of terrain and in extremely long lengths and which will iloat to the ground for detonation to produce a desired destructive explosion and develop substantial amounts of shrapnel from the device itself.

As will be understood, anti-personnel grenades, mortar and artillery shells, and low-level tactical aerial bombs produce explosive and shrapnel coverage of different areas of varying sizes and from varying distances in warfare. Yet, if it is desired to produce an explosion effect along a continuous line (perhaps several hundred feet long) with such conventional ordnance, either a plurality of individual explosions (and a similar plurality of individual iirings of the ordnance) or a sequential progression of explosions along the line must be relied on.

In certain tactical situations in warfare (or other instances where explosions are desired on the ground, such as fighting forest fires, etc.), however, it may be desired to produce explosive and/or shrapnel effects along a long line substantially simultaneously, and to have such explosive line be a substantially continuous explosion, especially in situations where the enemy personnal or other aim of the explosion are hidden from View. Similarly, in difficult or obscured terrain, it may be desired to create such line of explosion from aircraft and to have a continuity greater than can be accomplished by dropping a sequential plurality of aerial bombs.

According to this invention, however, ordnance apparatus and devices are provided in the form of long and more or less flexible explosive devices or detonating cords encased in a metal shrapnel-producing casing in such manner that the entire device can be rolled or folded into relatively small compass and then unreeled or paid out of an aircraft to drop to earth as a long line of explosive device substantially the entire length of which can be more or less instantaneously detonated (upon contact or proximity to the earth or at will in other manners) to produce the explosive and s'hrapnel-producing area substantially simultaneously and continuously all along the entire length of the device. As further features of this invention, there may be included at intervals along the device paravane apparatus for slowing, directing, and controlling the descent thereof as Iunreeled from the aircraft so that extremely long lengths may be paid out and cleared of the aircraft before the lowest trailing end reaches the earth or becomes entangled in trees, etc., and, especially with the use of paravane support, additional grenade-type explosive concentrations may be spaced at intervals along the device to supplement the explosive effect of the main apparatus.

With the foregoing and additional objects in View, this `invention will now be described in more detail, and other objects and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following description, the acompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of ordnance apparatus embodying and for practising this invention in use as being unreeled from the after part of an aircraft;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed showing on a larger scale illustrating a paravane device for use with this invention; and

FIGS. 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7-9, and 10' and 11 illustrate various embodiments of suitably flexible metal outer casings for an explosive cord for producing shrapnel and embodying and for practising this invention.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts ythroughout the several views thereof, 'there is shown in FIG. 1, as illustrative of apparatus embodying and for practising this invention in use and being laid by an aircraft. Thus, aircraft 10 is shown in flight and carrying a roll or coil 1v1 of the explosive device thereof suitably encased with shrapnelproducing metal in accordance herewith and supported in any suitable manner on a support 12 so that it may be unreeled or paid out through an opening 13 in the after part of the aircraft to form a trailing line indicated at 15. If it is desired to slow the descent or otherwise control the unreeled device 15, paravane elements 16, described in more detail below, are spaced at intervals along the device. Similarly, as desired, optional grenadetype supplementary explosive packages may also be spaced at intervals-along device 15, as indicated by the dotted units 17.

There are shown in FIGS. 3-11, purely as illustrative of apparatus embodying and for practising this invention, different forms of outer metal shrapnel-producing casings in accordance herewith, in all of which views the primary explosive element is indicated as a flexible cord 20 of conventional explosive high energy detonating cord satisfactorily comprising, for example, 400 grains RDX explosive per foot. Also flexible tubing filled with explosive and for other flexible explosive devices produces satisfactory results, but the detonating cord is preferred.

As will be understood, the selection of a particular explosive cord or other flexible explosive device in accordance herewith may be in large measure dictated by the particular conditions of use and effect desired. That is, the intensity of the explosive force desired upon detonation of the device and whether it is desired primarily to develop and project shrapnel from the casing or whether `the principal elfect is expected to come from the explosion itself are all factors to be taken into consideration in the selection of a particular detonating cord or other arrangement for element 20 in accordance herewith. Preferably, detonating cord 20 is covered with a layer of exible steel braid or mesh 21 for protection of the cord and to impart an increased tensile strength to the entire device.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer exible metal casing, from which shrapnel will be produced upon detontion of explosive cord 20, is shown as comprising a plurality of interlocking cast cylinders 25, each having an annular swaged lip 26 at the leading end and a reduced diameter throat portion 27 with an annular rim 28 at the trailing end so that, as shown, throat portion 27 of one cylinder 25 is engaged within lip 26 of the next cylinder 25 in interlocking manner to provide a continuous metal casing which has sufficient flexibility to permit coiling or reeling a long length of the entire device on a reel for preliminary transportation and use as indicated in FIG. 1. As will be understood, whether the coil or reel of the flexible ararngement indicated is unreeled or paid out of an aircraft (as in FIG. 1) or from a ground vehicle or laid by hand on the ground depends upon the particular circumstances and desires in use. Preferably, the outer surfaces of cylinders 25 incorporate a plurality of longitudinal grooves 2-9 to facilitate developing shrapnel upon detonation of explosive cord 20 and for controlling the size thereof in known manner as with conventional antipersonnel fragmentation hand grenades.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. and 6, the outer flexible casing comprises a Ichain link arrangement around explosive cord 20 and steel braid layer 21, including a plurality of longitudinally extending lines of radially disposed links 30 interconnected with circumferentially disposed links 31. To maintain transverse rigidity, at least some of the circumferentially disposed links 31 are welded together at 32 ('FIG. 6) at intervals along the device, but longitudinal exibility is provided because the radially disposed links 30` are not welded to the circumferentially disposed links 31. Preferably, the radially disposed links 30 are weakened, as by notches 33, to enhance the development of shrapnel from the casing upon detonation of explosive cord 20.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, a further embodiment of ordnance apparatus embodying and for practising this invention is shown as illustrative of an arrangement whereby the device is folded or pleated, rather than coiled, prior to use and in a manner which may produce some economies of manufacture as compared with the embodiments described above. Thus, explosive cord 20 and flexible steel braid layer 21 have threaded thereon a plurality of rigid pipe-like elements 40 in a manner so as to leave a length 41 of flexible explosive cord 20 between each two pipe elements 40. The lengths of the individual pipe elements 40 are selected to provide a convenient size of package for the entire device prior to use, and the lengths of exposed section 411 between pipe elements 40 are selected so that the complete device can be accordion folded or pleated for storage and transportation as indicated in |FIG. 9. lPreferably, the pipe elements 40 have cast into the outer surfaces thereof a plurality of circumferential and radial grooves 45 and 46 for aiding in the development of shrapnel upon detonation of explosive cord 20 in known manner as with a fragmentations grenade.

In FIG. 9, the device is shown as pleated or collapsed and being dispensed or laid from a compartment 42 in the after part of an aircraft (not shown) traveling in the direction of the upper arrow in FIG. 9, while the device is gradually unfolded and pulled out of the aircraft as by a paravane or similar drag element 43 (which, as will be understood, may also be used on the leading end of any other embodiments hereof to drag the apparatus out of the vehicle which may be laying it, although not shown in the other views hereof). Similarly, there is indicated at 44 at the trailing end of the entire string a conventional fusing device, which, as will be understood, is satisfactorily provided as either an impact fuse or a proximity fuse (all of known and well understood construction) whereby detonation of the entire device occurs when fuse 44 reaches the ground, it being understood that the trailing end of the entire string will be the last to reach the ground.

Also as will be understood, such a fusing device as 44 is also attached (although not shown in the drawings) to the trailing end of the other embodiments shown herein, especially when they are being laid from an aircraft or other moving vehicle, but, as is apparent, any of the wide variety of detonating means is satisfactory for the detonation of apparatus embodying and for practising this invention in accordance with the particular circumstances and desires of use.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, explosive cord 20 and steel braid layer `21 therealong are enclosed in a flexible helical casing formed somewhat along the lines of conventional BX electrical cables and comprising one or more helically wound strips one edge of which includes a curved channel portion 51 in which is interlocked the opposite edge 52 of the next convolution of the helically wound strip to provide complete interlocking enclosure yet sufficient longitudinal flexibility to permit coiling or reeling the entire device for storage, transportation, and dispensing from an aircraft, other vehicle, or otherwise. The successive convolutions and the interlocking joints therebetween also aid in the development of adequate shrapnel on detonation of explosive cord 20.

As noted above, and especially when the device is to be laid or deployed from an aircraft, it may be desired to provide at spaced intervals along the device paravane or equivalent structures for slowing the descent of the apparatus and for guiding or otherwise controlling the descent thereof. Although such structures are well understood, FIG. 2 illustrates such an arrangement in which the para-vane element 16 is affixed to the extended or unreeled device 15 emerging from aircraft 10, and includes two vanes 60, 61 and 62, each of which has a generally airfoil cross section, in known manner. A weight 62 is also provided to maintain proper mid-air orientation. As will be understood, the size and configuration of vanes 60, 61 and 62, as well as the spacing of paravane devices 16 along the apparatus, may be primarily dictated, in known manner, by the total weight of the entire device to be dropped from an aircraft and the speed of descent desired, although these are all factors well within the skill of the art. It is to be noted, of course, particularly in forest covered terrain, the entire length of flexible or pleated ordnance apparatus should be completely free of the aircraft before the leading end touches the ground or becomes entangled with ground objects, although when deploying the device from other vehicles (or even other types of aircraft such as helicopters), this factor may be less significant.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, there are provided in accordance herewith a variety of flexible or collapsible ordnance devices which can be coiled or folded into relatively small compass and then deployed or laid in quite long lengths to form, over virtually any terrain, a long line of explosive device which can be substantially instantaneously detonated to provide a substantially continuous and shrapnel-producing explosion along a line of considerable length, and in a manner requiring a minimum of personnel and equipment to provide such an extensive explosive eld and with considerably different effect than can be achieved with either the successive or simultaneous detonation of a plurality of individual projectiles or elements of conventional ordnance. The devices in accordance herewith can be readily deployed or positioned from aircraft or ground vehicles or otherwise, and include the feature particularly adapted for aircraft depolyment of having a paravane or similar structures for guiding and controlling the descent of the device. Similarly, a variety of readily constructed and shrapnel-producing casings is provided herewith to achieve various different antipersonnel or other explosive effects.

What is claimed is:

1. A flexible explosive device of the character described adapted to be laid for a substantial distance along the ground to provide substantially instantaneously a long line of explosion and shrapnel which comprises in combination a continuous flexible core of substantial length and being sufficiently flexible for winding on a reel, an explosive material in said core for detonation substantially instanteously all along said core to provide said explosion, and means forming a heavy metal casing around and along said core for disintegrating into small pieces upon said explosion to form said shrapnel, said casing being formed of a plurality of individual casing elements along said core providing flexibility of said device for storing and transporting long lengths of said device in on-extended form notwithstanding said heavy casing, said individual elements of said heavy metal casing comprising cast cylindrical elements having cooperating interlocking means thereon for exib-le interlocking engagement in end-to-end relation, the lengths of individual ones of said elements being suflciently short for providing said flexibility of said device.

2. A exible explosive device of the character described adapted to lbe laid for a substantial distance along the ground to provide substantially instantaneously a long line of explosion and shrapnel which comprises in combination a continuous flexible core of substantial length and being suiciently flexible for winding on a reel, an explosive material in said core for detonation substantially instantantaneously all along said core to provide said explosion, and means forming a heavy metal casing around and along said core for disintegrating into small pieces upon said explosion to form said shrapnel, said casing being formed of a plurality of individual casing elements along said core providing llexibility of said device for storing and transporting long lengths of said device in non-extended form notwithstanding said heavy casing, said heavy metal casing comprising a plurality of lengths of iiexible link chain along and around said core and rigid circumferentially disposed members engaging said plurality of lengths of chain at spaced intervals along said device for maintaining said lengths of chain in position.

3. A flexible explosive device of the character described adapted to be laid for a substantial distance along the ground to provide substantially instantaneously a long line of explosion and shrapnel which comprises in combination a continuous flexible core of substantial length and being suiciently exible for winding on a reel, an explosive material in said core for detonation substantially instantaneously all along said core to provide said explosion, and means forming a heavy metal casing around and along said core for disintegrating into small pieces upon said explosion to form said shrapnel, said casing being formed of a plurality of individual casing elements along said core providing flexibility of said device for storing and transporting long lengths of said device in non-extended form notwithstanding said heavy casing, said metal casing comprising at least one elongated metal strip helically wound around and along said core and interlocking means along the opposite edges of said strip for flexibility interlocking adjacent convolutions of said helically wound strip along said core, said opposite edge portions of said strip also including means forming grooved depressions between adjacent convolutions thereof for aiding in production of said shrapnel upon explosion of said core.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,411,862 12/ 1946 Arnold 102-67 3,064,568 ll/ 1962 Ainslie et al 102-9 X 3,114,316 12/ 1963 Littleton 102-22 VERLIN R. PENDEGRASS, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 102--67 

